Two experts discuss cultural perspectives in relation to EYFS, looking at where the balance should be between pupils' wellbeing and a knowledge-based approach, in this Early Years video.
Dr Amita Gupta, associate professor at City College, New York and Ranjit Singh, head of education at Soho Road Gurdwara, Birmingham, discuss the cultural perspective in relation to EYFS at the European Early Childhood Research Association Conference, EECERA 2010.
Amita explains that UK practitioners are encouraged to think that the knowledge-based approach must underpin EYFS practice, while her view is that wellbeing must be the priority.
Amita has found that measuring outcomes and current assessment systems drive the ethos of many settings, but that it makes more sense to concentrate on the non-tangible outcomes of wellbeing that could be attained through EYFS principles.
Amita hopes that settings might learn from eastern culture and look towards inner happiness and wellbeing as goals.
Meanwhile, Ranjit explores how wellbeing is at the centre of his Birmingham nursery which uses the love of an extended family as the basis for its ethos, taking a lead from the eastern cultural roots of Sikhism.
